How To Register A Right Hand Drive Car In California

It s a good conversation starter.

How to register a right hand drive car in california. If you need to register a vehicle for use on california roadways waterways or trailways you ve come to the right place to find out all you need to. If you ve recently bought or been given a car and live in california you must first register it with the state and pay all necessary fees before you can legally drive it. Classic vehicles are emissions exempt and so you only require a valid safety certification and an insurance policy and then you can hit the pavement. If you need to register a vehicle for use on california roadways waterways or trailways you ve come to the right place. If you don t know where your nearest smog station is you can locate it at smogcheck ca gov.

Here are a few things i have learned by driving a right hand drive car every day in southern california pros. Individuals that wish to drive an imported car with a right hand steering column must register the vehicle for operation within the united states. The process is relatively short and entitles you to legally drive the car just like any typical american automobile. Handbooks learn the laws and rules of the road in preparation for your drive and knowledge tests. Right hand drive vehicles are common in europe.

At 25 years old a legally imported vehicle is fmvss exempt. To register your out of state car in california start by locating your current title or registration and bill of sale to prove that you own your car. In order to be lawfully manufactured or imported for sale in the u s a motor vehicle must comply with all applicable fmvss issued by nhtsa. In this section new registration. It s safer for the driver to exit the car since the steering wheel is on the curb side.

Registering your classic jdm vehicle once your vehicle arrives you would go about registering it much the same way you would with any other vehicle. Releasing it from the port is a long task and registering it with the dmv is no picnic. It is possible for a right hand drive rhd vehicle to be manufactured in compliance with the fmvss. Dealership purchase if you bought from a licensed dealer certain registration tasks may be taken care of for you. Buying a car in a foreign country is hard transporting the car can be a challenge.

When moving from out of state you re also responsible for registering your out of state car in california within 20 days of establishing residency. Home vehicle registration vehicle registration. As long as the car meets us safety standards and is properly registered there are no penalties or fees for driving a right hand drive vehicle. Driving a rhd in a lhd world now that you know a bit more about rhd vehicles you may be wondering what it s like to drive on the right side in a lhd world.